A Facebook post this week by a Connecticut dealership that showed a happy customer sitting on his first motorcycle – a high-power, 2016 model-year sport bike with a $12,299 MSRP – got me to thinking about dealer responsibility. How responsible is the dealership for selling the “right” motorcycle to a …

LITTLE NECK, NY – Even though the first month of the new year is just about in the rearview mirror, it’s not too late to take a shot at guessing what the motorcycle industry will look like after all 12 months of 2016 have zoomed by and to make some …

A trip Friday up the Hudson River to visit the good folks at Hudson Valley Motorcycles in Ossining, NY. Second generation owner Rich Alexander and his team are hosting the

If the service person at your local BMW dealer is smiling just a little less these days, there’s a good reason. That’s because BMW’s recent recall announcement will likely cause a host of headaches for both dealers and riders in the weeks to come. The 43,426 bikes recalled in the …

In a previous column, I reviewed the various ways that dealers can grow their businesses. One way is by offering more and different products for sale, and manufacturers are starting to help in this area.

Just like any business, motorcycle dealerships are constantly looking at ways to boost sales.  New revenue can help fuel expansion or simply replace monies lost over time as customers change their buying habits.

Many folks are preparing to visit the Progressive International Motorcycle Show at New York’s Javits Center next weekend. Most attend to get a break from the cold weather and to get a fix for their motorcycle addiction, but some attend with the serious objective of “pre-shopping” for their next bike. …

Looking to buy a new bike and planning to spend $10,000, $15,000, or more?More people are answering “yes” to this question. Sales are up modestly in most street bike categories this year, despite the fact those shoppers often hear the same thing from dealership sales persons when asking for a …

In previous columns, we’ve had a look at how the sales and service departments affect the financial health of motorcycle dealerships. They are two legs of the “three legged stool” of dealership success. The third critical business area for successful dealerships is the revenue (and profits) generated from the sale …

  Even before un-virtuous ladies of the night could offer up their services something had to take place to generate interest and awareness for their “business.” They found themselves needing to sell their attributes to potential clients.  Attracting interested parties, emphasizing the superiority of their offering

  How does the dealer decide what to charge you for repairs and maintenance on your bike? If you’ve been to a dealership a few times, you probably think you have a pretty good idea of how things work. But, there’s a lot more going on that isn’t obvious to the average …

As motorcycle enthusiasts, we get a real kick out of accessorizing our rides, maintaining them, acquiring riding gear and occasionally buying a new or used bike. We have many choices of how and where we can scratch this itch, and local dealerships are always glad to provide an outlet for spending urges.

You might have thought I was going to say: “Start with $2 million.” That’s actually the time-worn answer that some dealers will give you with a chuckle when discussing the financial reality of their chosen profession. Like any business, keeping score for the typical motorcycle dealership is largely a matter of …